The Groundhog Meets our Lord

February 2

Everyone is awaiting Punxsutawney Phil

Will he see his shadow?

But the date for Christians has a more meaningful purpose...

It is Candlemas or The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in The Temple (Luke 2: 22-38) - for Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, 40 days after his birth, to dedicate him to God, as Jewish law proscribed.

Traditionally Candlemas marked the end of the Christmas season and was associated with the blessing of candles.

"Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve"

"Down with the rosemary, and so
Down with the bays and mistletoe
Down with the holly, ivy, all,
Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas Hall"
Robert Herrick (1591–1674)

This from Scotland connects the two...

As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop

or maybe this joke...

During Church School, the teacher asks if anyone can explain what Easter is. A little boy waves his hand, so wanting to be called on. The teacher says, "Ok, Johnny, what is Easter?" Johnny begins, "Easter is that time of year when the whole family gathers around a table with a turkey to giver thanks for the blessings of a good harvest." "Ah, Johnny, not quite. That is Thanksgiving, but a good description.

Does anyone know what Easter is?" A Little girl raises her hand. "Easter is that time of the year when the family all gathers around a tree to sing carols and put decorations on the tree and they all give presents." "Well, maybe a bit closer, but not quite. Would anyone else like to venture a guess?"

Another little girl of course knew the answer. "It is the time after Jesus died when the stone at his grave was rolled back, and Jesus started to go up to heaven and looked back down and saw his shadow and went back in for six more weeks."

Happy Candlemas Day!